Overnight, the Clinton River peaked at 2.2 metres with the increased flow of rain from the mountains, before reducing to 1.8 metres in the morning. A level of 0.25 metres is considered safe for search activities.

More rain is expected on Wednesday night.

“There will be no search today but a further aerial search is expected tomorrow when weather and local conditions are more favourable. There is also a foot search planned beside the accessible parts of the river,” Senior Sergeant Fairley said.

The Milford Track is one of New Zealand’s most popular walks.

It stretches across 53 kilometres and is listed by the Department of Conservation as one of New Zealand’s nine great walks.